Tales of the Tavern

Shaun

It had been two hours since he returned to the tavern and Shaun was almost done packing his belongings. Skye was impatient, wanting to be released to run around and also to see their mate. The guards hadn’t given them much time, after taking the shackles off they escorted him away from Rebekah out of the room. Before they reached the main doors, a servant had come up to them and gave Shaun a shirt, stating the Alpha commanded it to hide his markless shoulder.

It wasn’t long before he walked into the tavern and everyone fell silent. None of them had expected him to return. The tavern owner questioned him about what happened and laughed about his demands with the Alpha. He thought Shaun was bluffing about the agreement, but then stopped when he realized Shaun was serious. Shaun had stood up and went to his room to start packing.

Now he had finished packing his belongings, setting his pack near the door. Alpha Thorne had given him more than enough reason to finish his goal. It would take them almost a month to reach the Silverback Pack, especially since they would have to take a path that was out of the usual way. He’ll have to find an explanation for the route and the fact he must stay hidden. He wouldn’t trade it for anything else though, since he would be able to travel with Rebekah. From the moment she touched him, he wanted to protect her, have her by his side, and give her all of him at his best. He could still see her wrapped around his arm; a smile covered his face as he headed downstairs again.

The tavern owner had closed shop for the day to celebrate Shaun’s return. The cooks, hostesses, and owner sat at a few tables eating and drinking. Shaun walked up and sat in the empty seat next to the owner. “Connor, if I knew you were going to start without me, I would have been down sooner.”

The owner chuckled. “I didn’t want to disturb you. You seemed very focused on your journey ahead.”

“Speaking of which, could you prepare some meals to last a week?” Shaun started eating the lamb on the plate before him. A few of the hostesses and cooks were laughing together at a table, while two of the hostesses sat at the table with Shaun. Bella sat down next to him, looking at him intensely.

“Why a week? You’ll need more than that to get to the Central Capital.” Connor, the owner, replied.

“I have to take a less direct route, so it’s going to take me even longer. There are a few cities along my way for travelers that are safe for me to stop in. Each is about a week apart, so I’ll be able to restock in each place.”

Connor nodded. “Not a problem, my boy. It’s the least I can do after the years you’ve spent here and all the things you do for us.”

“Thank you.” Shaun looked over at Bella, who hadn’t stopped watching him. He noticed the look in her eyes behind the few strands of her blonde hair in front of her face, the rest hanging loosely over her shoulders. He recognized the look, she wanted him and could sense the power he had. Shaun couldn’t say he hadn’t thought what it would be like to share a bed with her, most of the customers wanted her. She was stunning and captured everyone’s attention. But after meeting Rebekah, she was all he could think about. He didn’t even have a desire for Bella. Skye growled, We found mate, don’t have such thoughts.

By the goddess, Skye. You know my thoughts weren’t like that. You know we have this effect on women, it’s why we suppressed ourselves for so long.

“So, where are you going, Shaun?” Bella asked. “Who’s joining you?”

Taking a drink, he swallowed the last of the lamb. “North, into the mountains. I’ll be going to the Silverback Pack up there. My original home is in the mountains, and I have some unfinished business with the current Alpha of Silverback. My companions will be the Alpha’s family and guards.”

Everyone instantly got quiet. They all stared at Shaun. One of the cooks questioned him. “You’re not from here? You’re not a Nightstar? And what did you say to drag the Alpha and his family along?”

The tavern door opened and immediately her scent filled the air. Shaun turned his head towards the closing door as Rebekah pulled off her cloak’s hood. “Maybe I can answer that. But first, that tavern wench should stop staring at my mate.”

She walked over calmly, but her eyes stared daggers at Bella. Rebekah stopped behind Shaun’s chair, placing her hands on his shoulders. He felt the sparks at her touch and his suppressed worry vanished. Her presence was all he needed and he wanted her at that moment. He saw all the surprised faces on everyone and burst out laughing. Bella gave him a questioning look, but a growl from Rebekah caused her to look away. Rebekah leaned over his shoulder, her chest pressing against his back, releasing a stronger desire for her. “Is this seat taken?” she asked.

Shaun started to stand up to give her his seat, but she pushed against his shoulder, sliding into his lap instead. She fit perfectly against him, and her closeness caused his member to grow. Clearly feeling him, she smiled at him, before looking at everyone else. Connor bowed his head respectfully towards her. “What do we owe the honor for your visit?”

“I came to be with my mate. At this time, the castle is boring and I’ve already packed for the journey. Besides, I was curious about Shaun and where he’s been staying.”

Shaun grew nervous at her words. He leaned into her, her scent filling his nose as he whispered in her ear. “They don’t know about my mark, please keep it that way.”

He felt her breath catch at his movement and he could feel her slight nod. He wrapped his arms around her as he leaned back in his seat. This felt almost natural for him, almost as if the attention everyone was giving him was his birthright. Another cook laughed. “How did he of all people get mated to the Alpha’s daughter? He’s been nothing but a quiet, weak barkeep. We don’t know where he’s from; he’s probably an omega.”

Growls emitted from Shaun and Rebekah in unison again, silencing all the muttering that began. Bella started scolding the cook. “You call him weak? How many times did you stand up and fight for us? He’s definitely not an omega, anyone could sense his strength.”

Shaun nodded at him. “She’s right, I’m not an omega. I’ve hated it every time someone called me one. From now on, I’m not going to tolerate it. Though, even an omega from my pack could rip you to shreds.”

Rebekah looked back at him, allowing him to see her trying to solve the puzzle that he was. Tell her! Skye demanded.

No. It’s not time.

“What pack are you from? Why’d you leave it?” She asked. Shaun remained silent, judging the room as everyone leaned towards him. With a sigh, he answered her.

“Most of us have known each other for years, so I guess it’s time to tell you some of my story. I can not mention my pack as it will put me in danger and tied to the reason I left. When I was fifteen, I had to leave for my own safety, and as of this moment, my pack thinks I’m dead. If they knew I was still alive, they would hunt me down.”

Rebekah’s eyes filled with pity and concern, but Shaun ignored it. After being on his own for so long, he didn’t need or want people’s pity. He lived the last few years gathering information through rumors and stories from travelers, someday planning on returning. Now, it was time to go back. “I’m so sorry to hear that, Shaun. I didn’t realize how much you have gone through.”

“Rebekah, I don’t want anyone’s pity. The things I’ve gone through placed me here, this is where the Goddess wants me.” He stated calmly. Everyone bowed their heads slightly, realizing they all had misjudged him. Even the cooks looked ashamed after Shaun spoke. None of them could imagine how he felt the last four years.

Connor cleared his throat, grabbing everyone’s attention. “On a happier note, let’s toast the happy mates. We’re honored to have Rebekah join us here.” He raised his glass. “And I wish you two safe travels on your journey.”

Everyone raised their glasses with him, bittersweet smiles on their faces. Shaun noticed Bella looked sadder than everyone else, but quickly hid it with a full smile. Soon everyone started talking and laughing again. Shaun zoned out as his thoughts kept returning to the journey ahead of him and Rebekah. He had spent years gathering information and forming a plan. But most of it was from rumors and stories. The only thing he could confirm was his father passed away four years ago. There were several rumors as to how he died but Shaun couldn’t confirm which was true.

“Wait, what?” Rebekah exclaimed, pulling Shaun from his thoughts. “You’re telling me, Shaun, who seems to be a very kind person, threw a guy through the counter and the wall behind it? I don’t believe that!”

Bella laughed. “Don’t let that kind face fool you. Behind his kind and respectful demeanor, a beast is waiting to be unleashed. I can’t believe you didn’t hear about that incident. The entire city had been talking about it for weeks. The creep went through the wall, scaring the entire kitchen while Shaun stood calmly in the middle of the room.”

Shaun shook his head, laughing. “Not that story. It took me six months to repay Connor for the damages. I can’t tell you how hard it is to serve people with only half a counter and a huge hole in the wall.”

Rebekah’s jaw dropped in shock. “Are you serious? I’m having a hard time believing it.”

A cook looked down the table at her. “You better believe it. We were cooking in the back when a man suddenly flew through the wall. Shaun may be one of the nicest people you will ever meet, but when it comes to a fight, he’s a monster. A few times, we’ve seen a partial transformation but we’ve never seen his wolf. He has no problem fighting wolves without shifting.”

Rebekah looked back towards Shaun. “You don’t shift?”

Shaun shook his head. “Haven’t needed to and it’s safer if I don’t.” He tapped Rebekah’s thighs, asking her to allow him to stand up. “And on that note, I’ll be heading to bed before it gets too late.”

Rebekah stood up, allowing him to stand also. As he headed towards the stairs, she followed him. He didn’t question her, knowing she wanted to stay with him as much as he wanted to stay with her. Her presence calmed him and he needed her with him now. He knew the mate bond was special and strong, but he never anticipated it would be like this. They barely knew each other, but he never wanted to be separated from her.

They stepped into his room, the door closing softly behind them. Shaun watched his mate glide around his almost bare room, looking around. Her eyes stopped on two large drawings on the wall. Both were cities from a view that encompassed the entire city. The first one was the Nightstar Pack. The other was a city in snow-capped mountains. She looked at him, questioning him with her eyes. “It’s the two places I can call home. I drew the first view I had of Nightstar; the other is the last view I had of my original home.”

“You drew them?”

“Yeah, does that surprise you?” Shaun walked up to her, placing his hands on her hips. Her breathing became faster as he stood there. She raised her head, placing her arms over his shoulders, her hands resting on the back of his neck.

“It actually does, but I don’t know much about you so everything is going to surprise me about my mysterious mate.” He leaned forward resting his head against her. Their lips were inches apart and he was fighting the urge to pull her closer, kissing her, and taking her tonight. His heart started beating faster as the desire grew, while her breathing got faster with anticipation. She raised herself up on her toes, kissing him. As soon as their lips touched, he caved in and kissed her back.

A moan escaped her as he pulled her against him. His member hardened while they kissed, her arousal reaching his nose. She slowly started grinding against him, giving in to their desire. He kissed down her neck to her collarbone, his hands sliding up her legs under her dress. She moaned again with the skin contact, almost crumbling underneath him. Shaun started walking backward towards the bed until she pushed him onto it. Without hesitation, she climbed on top of him, straddling him. Sitting up, she pulled her dress up over her head, revealing her full breasts to him. He sat up, kissing her neck trailing down to her breasts, sucking on a nipple while rubbing the other with his thumb.

She moaned again at the sensation, her hands pulling on his shirt. He pulled away from her so she could pull it over his head, throwing it to the side. Her hips moved against his, rubbing her core against his member as he kissed her lips again. He pushed his tongue against her lips until she parted them allowing him in. He explored her mouth, allowing their desire to control him.

He pulled away from her, panting heavily. “Wait, Rebekah.”

She looked down at him, also panting. “Is something wrong?”

He placed his hands on her hips, admiring her body. “No, nothing’s wrong. This is amazing. But despite how much I want you and to mark you, I want to wait until after we arrive at my pack.”

Her body slumped down a little before she climbed off of him. She laid down next to him, resting her head on his chest. “Why do you want to wait?”

Shaun wrapped his arms around her. “I want you to see who I am first. I want to have my pack mark when we mark each other. And I need to get my affairs together first.”

Rebekah looked up at him. “Okay, we can wait. But I’m going to hold you to it; nothing will change my feelings and I expect to have your mark by the time we reach Silverback.”

Shaun kissed her, enjoying her taste on his lips. When he pulled away, he smiled. “How did I get so lucky to be mated to you?”

“Thank the goddess.” She closed her eyes, and within a few minutes they both drifted into sleep.